Volume integral type multi-directional input apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-directional input apparatus having a volume as signal output reduces the number of parts needed for the multi-directional input apparatus. Turning members  40 A and  40 B which are turned when an operating member  30  is operated are combined at right angles in a case  10 . The turning members  40 A and  40 B are provided at their one ends with gears  44 A and  44 B. Straight-ahead sliders  80  and  80  are mounted on two crossing side surfaces of the case  10  along the side surfaces and a mounting board of the input apparatus. Teeth  82  and  82  meshing with the gears  44 A and  44 B are formed on upper surfaces of the straight-ahead sliders  80  and  80 . Contacts sliding on resistance circuits formed on a surface of the mounting board are mounted on lower surfaces of the straight-ahead sliders  80  and  80 . The contacts, the gears  44 A and  44 B, the straight-ahead sliders  80  and  80  and the like constitute volumes which are integrally formed on the apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input apparatus forinputting various signals by operating an operating member which isoperated in arbitrary circumferential direction

BACKGROUND ART

A multi-directional input apparatus of this type called joystickcomprises a case secured on a board, a set of upper and lower turningmembers having long holes each extending in a direction perpendicular tothe turning direction, an operating member passing through the longholes of the set of upper and lower turning members for turning theturning members by operating the operating member in an arbitrarycircumferential direction, a spring compressed and accommodated in thecase for resiliently holding the operating member in its neutralposition, and a set of signal output means for outputting a signalcorresponding to the turning angle of each the turning member.

As the set of signal output means, a volume such as an electric sensor,a magnetic sensor, optical sensor or the like is used, and the volume isrelatively commonly used in terms of costs and the like.Multi-directional input apparatuses using the volume as the set ofsignal output means are described in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. S61-198286, Japanese Utility Model Publication No.H6-43963, and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H7-27608.

However, the conventional multi-directional input apparatus using thevolume as the one set of signal output means has the following problems.

Although the volume is inexpensive as compared with other signal outputmeans, the volume requires a large number of parts (usually five parts),a rate of cost occupied by the volume in the multi-directional inputapparatus is still high. Further, since it is necessary to use solderbetween the multi-directional input apparatus and a board onto which themulti-directional input apparatus is mounted, this increases themanufacturing cost of equipment which uses the multi-directional inputapparatus.

The present invention has been accomplished in view of thesecircumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide avolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus in which thenumber of parts is small and a board can be mounted easily.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides avolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus comprising a casesecured on a mounting board; a set of upper and lower turning memberssupported in the case such as to be directed in two crossing directionand each having a long hole extending in a direction perpendicular to aturning direction; an operating member passing through each of the longholes of the set of upper and lower turning members, the operatingmember turning each of the turning members when the operating member isoperated in arbitrary direction there around; a holding mechanism forresiliently holding the operating member at a neutral position; and aset of signal output means for outputting signal corresponding to aturning angle of each of the turning members; wherein the set of signaloutput means comprise a pair of straight-ahead sliders mounted to thecase such that the straight-ahead sliders move straightly along a sidesurface of the case above the mounting board, a pair of motiontransmitting mechanisms for converting turning movements of the set ofupper and lower turning members into straight movements and transmittingthe straight movements to the pair of straight-ahead sliders, and a pairof contacts sliding on resistance circuits when the straight-aheadsliders move straightly, thereby constituting volumes.

According to the volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatusof the present invention, when the operating member is operated, theturning members are turned to move the straight-ahead sliders straightlyalong side surfaces of the case above the mounting board, the contactsslide on the resistance circuits, and a function as a volume isobtained. If the volume as signal output means is integrally formed onthe multi-directional input apparatus in this manner, the number ofparts is reduced.

In order to reduce the number of parts, it is preferable that thestraight-ahead sliders are accommodated in slider accommodating portionsintegrally formed on a side surface of the case. That is, theaccommodating portion for accommodating the straight-ahead slider maybeseparately mounted to the case, but it is preferable to integrally formthe accommodating portion on the side surface of the case to reduce thenumber of parts.

In order to reduce the number of parts, it is preferable that the motiontransmitting mechanism is a so-called rack and pinion mechanism in whicha gear provided on an end of the turning member meshes with a rack gearteeth formed on a surface of the straight-ahead slider

Each of the resistance circuits can be formed on a surface of themounting board to which the case is secured. The resistance circuit canalso be formed on a surface of the reserved board for forming the volumeseparately disposed along a moving surface of the straight-ahead slider.

When the resistance circuit is formed on the surface of the mountingboard, the contact is mounted to the lower surface of the straight-aheadslider. In this case, the number of parts is reduced particularly andsolder between the board and the circuit is unnecessary.

When the resistance circuit is formed on the surface of the reservedboard, i.e., when the reserved board is separately used, the reservedboard can be disposed below, above or sideway of the straight-aheadslider, but it is preferable to dispose the resistance circuit below thestraight-ahead slider in terms of connection with the mounting board.When the reserved board is disposed below the straight-ahead slider, thecontact is preferably mounted to the lower surface of the straight-aheadslider, and when the reserved board is disposed above the straight-aheadslider, the contact is preferably mounted to the upper surface of thestraight-ahead slider.

When the resistance circuit constituting the integral type volume isformed on the surface of the mounting board, it is necessary for a userof the multi-directional input apparatus to precisely print and form theresistance circuit. Therefore, the burden of the user is increased, butif the reserved board is used, although the number of parts isincreased, it is unnecessary for the user of the multi-directional inputapparatus to print and form the resistance circuit on the mountingboard, and this reduces the burden of the user.

It is preferable that the reserved board is bent into an L-shape alongtwo crossing side surfaces of the case, and is commonly used by the pairof volumes. With this structure, the increase in the number of partscaused by the reserved board is minimized.

In order to reduce the number of parts, it is preferable that thereserved board is accommodated together with the straight-ahead sliderin a slider accommodating portion which is integrally formed on a sidesurface of the case. It is preferable that the reserved board is aflexible board in view of wiring with respect to the mounting board.

A fan-like member having an arc surface formed with teeth is preferableas the gear constituting the motion transmitting mechanism because theapparatus can be made small. It is preferable that it is integrallyformed on the end of the turning member because the number of parts isreduced.

Structures of portions other than the volume are not limited. Forexample, the holding mechanism for resiliently holding the operatingmember at the neutral position may directly hold the operating member atthe neutral position, or may indirectly hold the set of upper and loweroperating members at the neutral position using spring, or may directlyhold both the operating members at the neutral position. The spring maybe disposed on either upper or lower one of the set of the upper andlower turning members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along an arrow A—A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along an arrow B—B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along an arrow C—C in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a pattern circuit diagram of a resistant circuit combined withthe multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a volume-integral type multi-directionalinput apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a pattern circuit diagram of a resistant circuit combined withthe multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the multi-directionalinput apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the multi-directionalinput apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the multi-directionalinput apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a right side view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the multi-directional input apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the multi-directionalinput apparatus; and

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the multi-directional input apparatus.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

10 case

10 a lower case

10 b upper case

15 body

16 slider accommodating portion

20A, 20B volume section (signal output means)

30 operating member

40A, 40B turning member

41A, 41B turning shaft

42A, 42B arc portion

43A, 43B long hole

44A, 44B gear

45A, 45B teeth

50 hoisting and lowering slider

60 spring

70 hoisting and lowering member

80 straight-ahead slider

82 teeth

90 contact

100 mounting board

110 pushdown switch

120 resistance circuit

130 reserved board

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on thedrawings below. As shown in FIG. 1, in a volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of a first embodiment of the presentinvention, a case 10 is secured on a mounting board 100 (see FIG. 6),and the case 10 is integrally provided at its two side with a set ofvolume sections 20A and 20B as signal output means.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, accommodated in a body of the case 10excluding the volume sections 20A and 20B are a rod-like operatingmember 30 inclingly operated in arbitrary cirumferential directionaround its lower portion, a set of upper and lower turning members 40Aand 40B, a hoisting and lowering slider 50 and a spring 60 forresiliently holding the operating member 30 at its neutral position, anda hoisting and lowering member 70 which is operated up and down by theoperating member 30. The volume sections 20A and 20B are providedtherein with straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80.

The box-like case 10 secured on the mounting board 100 (see FIG. 6) isof a two-piece structure comprising a lower case 10 a forming a bottomplate of the case 10 and an upper case 10 b placed on the lower case 10a from above.

The lower case 10 a has a substantially quadrangle bottom plate 11. Thebottom plate 11 is provided at its four corners with pawls 12 which areupwardly projecting for securing the upper case 10 b to the bottom plate11. A support 13 is projected from a central portion of sides of thebottom plate 11 for supporting the turning members 40A and 40B. Thebottom plate 11 is provided at its central portion with a cylindricalguide 14 for vertically guiding a hoisting and lowering member 70.

The upper case 10 b includes a box-like body 15 which is to be put onthe lower case 10 a and whose bottom is opened. The upper case 10 b alsoincludes slider accommodating portions 16 and 16. The body 15 isprovided at its ceiling with and opening 17 through which the operatingmember 30 projects. The body 15 is provided at its side walls withnotches into which the support 13 of the lower case 10 a is fitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, each of the slider accommodatingportions 16 and 16 accommodating the straight-ahead slider 80 is aregular hexahedronal box expanded from the lower side surface sideway,and a lower surface of the slider accommodating portion 16 is entirelyopened. Each of the slider accommodating portions 16 and 16 is providedat its upper surface with a slit-like opening 18 along a side surface ofthe body 15.

When the upper case 10 b is put on the lower case 10 a, the pawls 12 ofthe lower case 10 a engage an inner surface of a side wall of body 15 ofthe upper case 10 b so that the lower case 10 a and the upper case 10 bare secured to each other. When the support 13 of the lower case 10 a isfitted to the notches of the body 15 of the upper case 10 b, each of theside surfaces of the body 15 is formed with a circle opening forsupporting opposite end shafts of the turning members 40A and 40B.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating member 30 includes a rod 31having a circular cross section, a turning shaft 32 continuously formedon a lower portion of the rod 31, a large-diameter disc 33 continuouslyformed on a further lower portion of the turning shaft 32, and adownwardly swelling semi-circular projection 34 formed on a centralportion of a lower surface of the disc 33. The disc 33 has an upwardlyswelling semi-circular cross section, and is projecting in twodirections perpendicular to the turning shaft 32. An axial center of theturning shaft 32 crosses the center of the downwardly swellingsemi-circular projection 34.

The upper turning member 40A has turning shafts 41A and 41A, and anupwardly swelling arc 43A. The arc 43A is provided with a long hole 43Aextending toward the turning center axis.

The long hole 43A functions as a guide hole for the operating member 30.A gear 44A is integrally formed on a tip end surface of one of theturning shafts 41A and 41A. The gear 44A projects sideway of the body15, and is located above the opening 18 of one of the slideraccommodating portions 16 and 16. The gear 44A has a fan-like shapewhose arc surface is directed downward, and the arc surface is formedwith spur wheel teeth 45A.

The lower turning member 40B is combined with below the upper turningmember 40A perpendicularly. The turning member 40B is provided at itsopposite ends with turning shafts 41B and 41 Beach having a circularcross section. The turning member 40B is provided with an upwardlyswelling semi-spherical arc 42B formed between the turning shafts 41Band 41B. The semi-spherical arc 42B is provided with a long hole 43Bextending toward the turning center axis. The long hole 43A functions asa guide hole for the operating member 30.

The semi-spherical arc 42B is provided at its lower surface with arecess 46B into which the disc 33 of the operating member 30 is fitted.The recess 46B ensures the turning movement of the disc 33 when theoperating member 30 is operated toward the long hole 43B of the turningmember 40B. A pair of recessed bearings 47B and 47B are provided in aninner surface of the recess 46B such as to sandwich the long hole 43B.The turning shaft 32 of the operating member 30 is fitted to thebearings 47B and 47B.

A gear 44B is integrally formed on a tip end surface of one of theturning shafts 41B and 41B. The gear 44B projects sideway of the body15, and is located above the other one of the slider accommodatingportions 16 and 16. The gear 44B has a fan-like shape whose arc surfaceis directed downward, and the arc surface is formed with spur wheelteeth 45B.

The hoisting and lowering slider 50 for resiliently holding theoperating member 30 at the neutral position is annular in shape so thatthe hoisting and lowering slider 50 can vertically movably fitted in thebody 15 of the case 10. The hoisting and lowering slider 50 is disposedbelow the turning members 40A and 40B, and is biased upward by thespring 60 compressed and accommodated between the hoisting and loweringslider 50 and the bottom plate 11 of the case 10.

The hoisting and lowering slider 50 is biased and resiliently broughtinto contact with flat a lower surface of the disc 33 of the operatingmember 30 and flat surfaces formed on the lower surfaces of the turningmembers 40A and 40B, thereby directly holding the operating member 30and the turning members 40A and 40B at the neutral position.

The hoisting and lowering member 70 vertically moved by the operatingmember 30 is inserted into the cylindrical guide 14 formed at thecentral portion of the bottom plate 11 of the case 10, and is biasedupward by a pushdown switch 110 on the mounting board 100.

The straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 accommodated in the slideraccommodating portions 16 and 16 of the case 10 are capable of movinghorizontally along a side surface of the body 15, and the straight-aheadsliders 80 and 80 are prevented from being pulled out downward by meansof the side edge of the bottom plate 11 of the lower case 10 a. Each ofthe straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 is provided at its upper portionwith a projection 81 projecting upward of the slider accommodatingportion 16 through the slit-like opening 18 formed in the upper surfaceof the slider accommodating portions 16 and 16. The projection 81 isformed at its upper surface with rack gear teeth 82 in the movingdirection of the straight-ahead slider 80. The teeth 82 meshes with theteeth 45A. and 45B of the fan-like gears 44A and 44B formed on one endsof the turning members 40A and 40B, thereby constituting a motiontransmitting mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 5, a contact 90 is mounted to a lower surface of eachof the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80. The contact 90 faces a surfaceof the mounting board 100 through the opening formed in the lowersurface of the slider accommodating portion 16, and is resilientlycontacted with a resistance circuit 120 (see FIG. 6) formed on thesurface of the mounting board 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the resistance circuits 120 are located below volumeportions 20A and 20B, and formed on the surface of the mounting board100. Each of the resistance circuits 120 includes a carbon resistor 121and conductive portion 122 arranged straightly at a distancetherebetween. The contact 90 includes a pair of contacting portions 91and 91 arranged straightly so that they come into contact with thecarbon resistor 121 and the conductive portion 122. The carbon resistor121 and the conductive portion 122 are brought into conduction toconstitute the volume.

Next, a function of the volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present inventionwill be explained.

If the operating member 30 is inclined toward the long hole 43B of thelower turning member 40B, the upper turning member 40A is turned. Withthis movement, the volume portion 20A is operated, and a resistancevalue corresponding to the operation amount is obtained. That is, in thevolume portion 20A, the gear 44A is turned by the turning movement ofthe turning member 40A, thereby straightly moving the straight-aheadslider 80, the contact 90 slides on the corresponding resistance circuit120, and a resistance value corresponding to the operation amount isobtained.

If the operating member 30 is inclined toward the long hole 44A of theupper turning member 40A, the lower turning member 40B is turned. Withthis movement, the volume portion 20B is operated, and a resistancevalue corresponding to the operation amount is obtained. That is, in thevolume portion 20B, the gear 44B is turned by the turning movement ofthe turning member 40B, thereby straightly moving the straight-aheadslider 80, the contact 90 slides on the corresponding resistance circuit120, and a resistance value corresponding to the operation amount isobtained.

The operating member 30 is operated in an arbitrary direction by acombination of the above movements, and a signal in accordance with theoperation direction and amount is input to electronic equipment whichuses the multi-directional input apparatus.

If the operating member 30 is pushed down in the axial direction, thepushdown switch 110 on the mounting board 100 is operated.

The volume portions 20A and 20B comprise the slider accommodatingportions 16 and 16 provided on the two perpendicular side surfaces ofthe case 10, the fan-like gears 44A and 44B provided on one ends of theturning members 40A and 40B, and the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80accommodated in the slider accommodating portions 16 and 16, and thecontacts 90 and 80 mounted to the lower surfaces of the straight-aheadsliders 80 and 80. Among these constituent parts, the slideraccommodating portions 16 and 16 and the gears 44A and 44B areintegrally formed together with the existing constituent elements of themulti-directional input apparatus. Therefore, the parts required forconstitute the volume portions 20A and 20B are two parts, i.e., thestraight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 and the contacts 90 and 90.

Therefore, the number of parts is largely reduced as compared with theconventional multi-directional input apparatus using the externalvolume, and the cost is also reduced. Further, the volume portions 20Aand 20B do not require soldering between the resistance circuits 120 and120 on the mounting board 100. Therefore, the assembling cost ofelectronic equipment which uses the multi-directional input apparatuscan be reduced.

A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

This apparatus is different from the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.1 to 6 mainly in the structure of the contacts 90 and 90.

That is, each of the contact 90 has contact portions 91 and 91 arrangedin parallel. The resistance circuit 120 with which the contact portions91 and 91 come into contact includes the carbon resistor 121 and theconductive portion 122 formed on the surface of the mounting board 100in parallel. The contact 90 brings the pair of contact portions 91 and91 into contact with the carbon resistor 121 and the conductive portion122, thereby bringing them into conduction to constitute the volume.

Other structure is substantially the same as that of the volume-integraltype multi-directional input apparatus of the first embodiment and thus,explanation thereof is omitted.

As can be understood from the first and second embodiments, according tothe volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus of thepresent invention, shape of the resistance circuit 120 and the contact90 may arbitrarily be selected.

A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to athird embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

This apparatus is different from the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatuses of the first and second embodimentmainly in that the pushdown switch 110 is omitted. Since the pushdownswitch 110 is omitted, the hoisting and lowering member 70 disposedbelow the operating member 30 is also omitted. The operating member 30is instead supported from below by a boss 19 provided at a centralportion of the bottom plate 11 of the case 10 such that the operatingmember 30 can be inclined. For supporting the operating member 30, theboss 19 is provided at its upper surface with a downwardly swellingsemi-circular recess into which the projection 34 of the operatingmember 30 is fitted.

Since other structure is substantially the same as that of thevolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatuses of the firstand second embodiments, explanation thereof is omitted.

As can be understood from these embodiments, the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the present invention is combinedwith the pushdown switch 110 when necessary.

A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to afourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

This apparatus is different from the above-described volume-integraltype multi-directional input apparatus mainly in that a resistancecircuit constituting the integral type volume is formed on a surface ofa reserved board 130, i.e., the a reserved board 130 is used for thevolume portions 20A and 20B, and axially intermediate portion of the setof upper and lower turning members 40A and 40B are projected downward,the operating member 30 is supported above the upper turning member 40Aso that the turning centers of the turning members 40A and 40B arelocated as high as possible to restrain the height of the apparatus.

That is, in the volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatusof the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the case 10 is of atwo-piece structure comprising a combination of a box-like metal lowercase 10 a and a resin upper case 10 b fitted to the lower case 10 a fromabove.

A downwardly swelling spherical recess 11′ (which will be describedlater) for supporting the lower turning member 40B is disposed on acentral portion of the bottom plate 11 of the metal lower case 10 a. Aplurality of projection pieces 11″ projecting sideway is formed at fourcorners of the bottom plate 11 for securing the bottom plate 11 to themounting board.

Similar to the other volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus, the resin upper case 10 b includes the box-like body 15 whosebottom is opened, and the pair of slider accommodating portions 16 and16 integrally formed on the two crossing side surfaces of the body 15.The body 15 is provided at its ceiling with and opening 17 through whichthe operating member 30 projects. On a lower surface of the ceiling, anupwardly swelling spherical recess 17′ is provided around the opening 17for supporting the operating member 30. The pair of slider accommodatingportions 16 and 16 is integrally formed into an L-shape along the twocrossing side surfaces of the body 15.

As shown in FIG. 12, the operating member 30 includes a sphericalsupport 35 continuously formed on a lower portion of the rod 31 having acircular cross section, and a rod-like operating portion 36 continuouslyformed on a lower portion of the support 35.

The upper turning member 40A includes a downwardly swelling arc 42Abetween the turning shafts 41A and 41A on the opposite ends. The arc 42Ais provided with a long hole 43A extending turning center axis of theturning member 40A as a guide hole of the operating member 30. An innersurface of the arc 42A, i.e., an upper surface thereof is formed into adownwardly swelling spherical recess surface into which the sphericalsupport 35 of the operating member 30 is fitted. An outer surface of thearc 42A, i.e., a lower surface thereof is formed into an upwardlyswelling spherical projecting surface.

The lower turning member 40B which is combined with the lower portion ofthe upper turning member 40A perpendicularly includes a downwardlyswelling arc 42B between the turning shafts 41B and 41B on the oppositeends. The arc 42B is provided with a long hole 43B extending turningcenter axis of the turning member 40B as a guide hole of the operatingmember 30. An inner surface of the arc 42B, i.e., an upper surfacethereof is formed into a downwardly swelling spherical recess surfaceinto which the arc 42A of the upper turning member 40A is fitted. Anouter surface of the arc 42B, i.e., a lower surface thereof is formedinto an upwardly swelling spherical projecting surface which correspondsto the downwardly swelling spherical recess 11′.

The support 35 is grasped between the ceiling of the case 10 and the arc42A of the upper turning member 40A, thereby rotatably supporting theabove-described operating member 30. The operating portion 36 of theoperating member 30 is inserted into the long holes 43A and 43B formedin the arcs 42A and 42B of the turning members 40A and 40B.

Similar to the other volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus, the hoisting and lowering slider 50 for resiliently holdingthe operating member 30 at the neutral position is disposed below theturning members 40A and 40B, and is biased upward by the spring 60compressed and accommodated between the hoisting and lowering slider 50and the bottom plate 11 of the case 10. The hoisting and lowering slider50 is biased and resiliently brought into contact with flat surfacesformed on the lower surfaces of the turning members 40A and 40B, therebyholding the operating member 30 and the turning members 40A and 40B atthe neutral position.

The straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are accommodated in the slideraccommodating portions 16 and 16 of the case 10, and an L-shapedreservedboard 130 is accommodated astride the slider accommodatingportions 16 and 16. The straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 can movehorizontally along the two crossing side surfaces of the body 15 of thecase 10. A rack gear teeth 82 is formed on an upper surface of each thestraight-ahead slider 80. Downwardly directed fan-like gears 44A and 44Bformed on one ends of the turning members 40A and 40B are meshed withthe rack gear teeth 82 and 82.

The L-shaped reserved board 130 is a flexible board, and disposed in theslider accommodating portions 16 and 16 below the straight-ahead sliders80 and 80. A pair of resistance circuits corresponding to thestraight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are printed on the reserved board 130.Contacts mounted on the lower surfaces of the straight-ahead sliders 80and 80 are in contact with the pair of resistance circuits resiliently.The opposite ends of the reserved board 130 are projected outward fromthe slider accommodating portions 16 and 16 as connecting portions 131and 131 with respect to the mounting board.

Similar to the other volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus, in the volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatusof the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the turning members40A and 40B are turned when the operating member 30 is inclined. Withthis movement, the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are straightly movedin the volume portions 20A and 20B, the contacts slide on the pair ofresistance circuits of the reserved board 130, and a signalcorresponding to the direction and the amount of operation of theoperating member 30 is input to the electronic equipment which uses themulti-directional input apparatus.

The reserved board 130 is used in the volume sections 20A and 20B andthus, the number of parts is slightly increased, but it is unnecessaryto form the resistance circuits constituting the volume sections 20A and20B on the surface of the board. Therefore, burden of a user using thismulti-directional input apparatus is lightened. Further, the reservedboard 130 is bent into the L-shape along the two crossing side surfaceof the body 15 of the case 10, and the reserved board 130 is commonlyused by the volume sections 20A and 20B. Therefore, the increase in thenumber of parts caused by the reserved board 130 is minimized.

Further, the arcs 42A and 42B of the turning members 40A and 40B areprojected downward, the support 35 of the operating member 30 issupported by the ceiling of the case 10 and the upper arc 42A, and theturning center is located above the case 10 and thus, space foraccommodating the hoisting and lowering slider 50 and the spring 60 issecured below the turning members 40A and 40B, and the entire height ofthe case 10 is restricted.

A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to afifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 16 to 20.

This apparatus is different from the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention mainly in that the arcs 42A and 42B of the turningmembers 40A and 40B are projected upward, space for accommodating thehoisting and lowering slider 50 and the spring 60 is secured above thearcs 42A and 42B, and in connection with this, the reserved board 130 isdisposed above the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80.

That is, according to the volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the case 10comprises the resin lower case 10 a forming the bottom plate, and ametal upper case 10 b to be put on the lower case 10 a from above. Theslider accommodating portions 16 and 16 for accommodating thestraight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are integrally and continuously formedon the resin lower case 10 a.

The turning members 40A and 40B includes upwardly swelling arcs 42A and42B between the opposite end turning shafts. Unlike the othervolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus, the hoisting andlowering slider 50 is disposed above the turning members 40A and 40B,and is biased downward by the spring 60 compressed and accommodatedbetween the hoisting and lowering slider 50 and the ceiling of the case10. The hoisting and lowering slider 50 is biased and resilientlybrought into contact with flat surfaces formed on the lower surfaces ofthe turning members, 40A and 40B, there by holding the operating member30 and the turning members 40A and 40B at the neutral position.

The operating member 30 includes an upwardly swelling semi-sphericalfirst support 37 below the shaft 31, and a downwardly swellingsemi-spherical second support 38 below the first support 37. The firstsupport 37 is fitted into the arc 42B of the lower turning member 40Bfrom below, and the second support 38 is supported on the bottom plate11 of the case 10.

The straight-ahead slider 80 is accommodated in the slider accommodatingportion 16, and the reserved board 130 is accommodated in the slideraccommodating portion 16 above the straight-ahead slider 80. Thestraight-ahead slider 80 is provided at its lower surface with the rackgear teeth 82. Upwardly directed fan-like gears 44A and 44B are formedon one ends of the turning members 40A and 40B are meshed with the teeth82. The contact is mounted to the upper surface of the straight-aheadslider 80. The contact is in resilient contact with the resistancecircuit formed on the lower surface of the reserved board 130.

Other structure is the same as that of the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

The reserved board 130 is used in the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention and thus, the number of parts is slightly increased, but it isunnecessary to form the resistance circuits constituting the volumesections 20A and 20B on the surface of the board. Therefore, burden of auser using this multi-directional input apparatus is lightened. Further,the reserved board 130 is bent into the L-shape along the two crossingside surface of the body 15 of the case 10, and the reserved board 130is commonly used by the volume sections 20A and 20B. Therefore, theincrease in the number of parts caused by the reserved board 130 isminimized.

Further, the arcs 42A and 42B of the turning members 40A and 40B areprojected upward, the supports 37 and 38 of the operating member 30 issupported between the lower arc 42B and the bottom plate 11 of the case10, and the turning centers thereof are located as low as possible inthe case 10 and thus, space for accommodating the hoisting and loweringslider 50 and the spring 60 is secured above the turning members 40A and40B, and the entire height of the case 10 is restricted.

As can be understood from the fourth and fifth embodiments, thevolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus of the presentinvention can use the reserved board 130 for forming the resistancecircuit. The reserved board 130 may be disposed either above or belowthe straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80.

A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to asixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 21 to 23.

This apparatus is different from the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention mainly in that the lower pushdown switch 110. is operated bythe operating member 30, and the reserved board 130 is disposed in thevolume sections 20A and 20B below the straight-ahead slider 80.

That is, according to the volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in order toallow the operating member 30 to move in the axial direction, the bottomplate 11 of the case 10 is formed with an opening 14′ below theoperating member 30. Further, in order to bias the operating member 30upward, a snap plate 111 is mounted to a lower surface of the bottomplate 11. The snap plate 111 includes a frame-like support 111′ securedto the lower surface of the bottom plate 11 and a circular operatingportion 11″ supported by radial arms in the snap plate 111′. The snapplate 111 is accommodated in a shallow recess provided in the lowersurface of the bottom plate 11, the second support 38 of the operatingmember 30 is resiliently pushed from above through an opening formed inthe bottom plate 11, which constitutes the pushdown switch 110 togetherwith the contact formed on the surface of the mounting board.

Opposite sides of the first support 37 of the operating member 30 areremoved for preventing the operating member 30 from rotating around itsaxis.

The straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are accommodated in the slideraccommodating portions 16 and 16 of the case 10, and the reserved board130 is accommodated in the slider accommodating portions 16 and 16 belowthe straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80. An inner surface of each thestraight-ahead slider 80 is provided with a recess 83 which is openeddownward. The gears 44A and 44B of the turning members 40A and 40B areinserted into the recess 83. A ceiling of the recess 83 is provided withthe rack gear teeth 82 meshing with the upwardly directed gears 44A and44B. A contact 90 is mounted to the lower surface of each thestraight-ahead slider 80, and the contact 90 resiliently comes intocontact from above with the resistance circuit formed on the uppersurface of the lower reserved board 130.

Other structure is substantially the same as that of the volume-integraltype multi-directional input apparatus of the fifth embodiment, the sameelements are designated with the same numbers, and detailed explanationthereof is omitted.

According to the volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatusof the sixth embodiment, by pushing down the operating member 30 againstthe biasing force of the snap plate 111, the snap plate 111 is deformeddownward, and the connected portion formed on the surface of themounting board is short-circuited by this deformed portion. With this,the function of the pushdown switch 110 is obtained.

When the snap plate 111 is mounted to the mounting board, the positionalprecision between the operating member 30 and the snap plate 111 islowered, the feel of the pushing down operation of the operating member30 is not stabilized, but with the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the sixth embodiment, since thesnap plate 111 is mounted on the side of the multi-directional inputapparatus, the feeling is stabilized.

In addition, according to the volume-integral type multi-directionalinput apparatus of the sixth embodiment, although the gears 44A and 44Bof the turning members 40A and 40B are meshed with the teeth 82 of thestraight-ahead sliders 80 and 80, the reserved board 130 is disposedbelow the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80, and the reserved board 130approaches the mounting board. Therefore, the reserved board 130 caneasily be connected to the mounting board.

As can be found from this point, it is preferable to dispose thereserved board 130 below the straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 in termsof connection with respect to the mounting board. Especially in thesixth embodiment, the height of each of the volume sections 20A and 20Bis restrained, and it is possible to rationally design the case 10 whoseheight is limited.

As described above, according to the volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus of the present invention, the volumeis integrally formed together with the input apparatus as the signaloutput means which outputs a signal corresponding to the turning angleof the turning member. Therefore, it is possible to largely reduce thenumber of parts relating the volume, and to reduce the manufacturingcost thereof.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the straight-ahead sliderconstituting the volume is accommodated in the slider accommodatingportion integrally formed on the side surface of the case, especiallythe number of parts is reduced.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the motion transmittingmechanism used in the volume is a rack and pinion mechanism, especiallythe number of parts is reduced.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the resistance circuitconstituting the volume is formed on the surface of the mounting boardto which the case is secured, especially the number of parts is reduced.Further, solder between the mounting board and the case is unnecessary.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the resistance circuit isformed on the upper or lower surface of the reserved board forconstituting the volume disposed below or above the straight-aheadslider, it is unnecessary to form a resistance circuit on the mountingboard, burden of a user using this multi-directional input apparatus islightened.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the reserved board is bentinto the L-shape along the two crossing side surfaces, and the reservedboard is commonly used by the pair of volumes, especially the number ofparts is reduced.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the reserved board 130 isaccommodated together with the straight-ahead slider in the slideraccommodating portion 16 integrally formed on the side surface of thecase, especially the number of parts is reduced.

According to another volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus of the present invention, since the reserved board is theflexible board, the mounting board can easily be connect to the reservedboard.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention can be utilized as an input device of a personalcomputer, a game machine and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus comprising a case secured on a mounting board; a set of upperand lower turning members supported in said case such that said turningmembers can turn into two intersecting directions and each having a longhole extending in a direction perpendicular to said turning direction;an operating member passing through each of said long holes of said setof upper and lower turning members, said operating member turning eachof said turning members when said operating member is operated inarbitrary direction therearound; a holding mechanism for resilientlyholding said operating member at a neutral position; and a set of signaloutput means for outputting signal corresponding to a turning angle ofeach of said turning members; wherein said set of signal output meanscomprise a pair of straight-ahead sliders mounted to said case such thatsaid straight-ahead sliders move straightly along a side surface of saidcase above said mounting board, a pair of motion transmitting mechanismsfor converting turning movements of said set of upper and lower turningmembers into straight movements and transmitting said straight movementsto said pair of straight-ahead sliders, and a pair of contacts slidingon resistance circuits when said straight-ahead sliders move straightly,thereby constituting volumes.
 2. The volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidstraight-ahead sliders are accommodated in slider accommodating portionsintegrally formed on a side surface of said case.
 3. The volume-integraltype multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ineach of said motion transmitting mechanisms, a gear provided on an endof said turning member meshes with a rack gear teeth formed on a surfaceof said straight-ahead slider.
 4. The volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid resistance circuit is formed on a surface of said mounting board towhich said case is secured, and said contact is mounted to a lowersurface of said straight-ahead slider.
 5. The volume-integral typemulti-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid resistance circuit is formed on an upper or lower surface of areserved board for constituting said volume, and said contact is mountedto a lower or upper surface of said straight-ahead slider.
 6. Thevolume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein said reserved board is bent into an L-shape along twocrossing side surfaces of said case, and is commonly used by said pairof volumes.
 7. The volume-integral type multi-directional inputapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reserved board isaccommodated together with said straight-ahead slider in a slideraccommodating portion which is integrally formed on a side surface ofsaid case.
 8. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said reserved board is a flexible board.